{"id":936584,"date":"2026-10-17T15:56:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T15:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/936584\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T15:56:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T15:56:11","slug":"indigenous-rights-defenders-mobilize-for-national-day-of-action-at-first-nations-first-ministers-meeting-in-ottawa-october-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/936584\/","title":{"rendered":"Indigenous rights defenders mobilize for National Day of Action at First Nations-First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa, October 26"},"content":{"rendered":"

Image for National Day of Action.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Canadian Press reports<\/a>: \u201cThe [provincial] premiers, [Canadian Prime Minister Mark] Carney and First Nations representatives [mostly regional chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations] are set to meet in Ottawa on Oct. 26, just as tensions are rising over the federal and provincial governments\u2019 major projects agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another Canadian Press article notes<\/a>: \u201cChiefs are set to meet with Carney and the country\u2019s premiers in Ottawa later this month, and major projects are expected to be a major topic of debate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those major projects include the Pacific Link oil pipeline (on Secwepemc territory), the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline (on Gitanyow and Gitxsan territory), and LNG Canada Phase 2 (on Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en territory).<\/p>\n

The first article explains: \u201cThere will be 28 seats in the main meeting room [at the John G. Diefenbaker Building at 111 Sussex Drive] \u2014 one for the prime minister, one for the national chief [Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak], 13 for provincial and territorial leaders and 13 for First Nations representatives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en Hereditary Chief Na\u2019Moks, whose lands and waters would be impacted by LNG Canada Phase 2, tells APTN News<\/a> that he has not been invited to this meeting but: \u201cI want to attend and I may attend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Canadian Press further notes: \u201cTopics up for discussion at the meeting include long-term political governance \u2014 including rights and treaties, jurisdiction, health care, policing and land \u2014 economic partnerships and prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n

National Day of Action<\/p>\n

In response, a National Day of Action is being organized by a coordinating group of Tori Cress (Anishinaabe), Russ Diabo (Kahnawake Mohawk), Kanahus Manuel (Secwepemc and Ktunaxa), Tarek Maussili (Cree), Rolland Pangowish (Anishinabe), Rachel Snow (Iyahe Nakoda) and Suzanne Smoke (Anishinaabe).<\/p>\n

The Truth Before Reconciliation Education & Advocacy Network<\/a> website provides information about this National Day of Action.<\/p>\n

That website warns: \u201cThis meeting could lock in municipal-style governance, focus only on services (water, policing, social issues), and ignore land, Treaties, sovereignty, and real self-determination. If the meeting only talks about \u2018services\u2019, we lose ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

And it highlights three demands: \u201c1) Recognition and Respect for Aboriginal Title, Inherent Rights, and Treaties. 2) A New Policy Framework based on Nation-to-Nation relations, not federal delegation. 3) Restoration and Restitution for lands and resources taken without consent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201cStatement of Support for the October 26, 2026 National Day of Action\u201d<\/a> declares that \u201ccolonial governments will not write the future for our collective First Nations\u201d. Signatories to that statement include Bridget Tolley, Sylvia Macadam, Sheelah Mclean, and Roseanne Archibald.<\/p>\n

We continue to follow this.<\/p>\n

Additional reading<\/p>\n

\u2013What could the Bill C-39 promise of speed for major projects mean for Indigenous land and environmental defenders?<\/a> (PBI-Canada, September 22, 2026)<\/p>\n

\u2013Indigenous leaders and journalist association concerned by the continued delay in the release of the CRCC report on the RCMP C-IRG<\/a> (PBI-Canada, September 25, 2026).<\/p>\n

National day of action poster.<\/a><\/p>\n

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